The Reality of Taqwa

The word 'Taqwa' is derived from the root 'waqaya' which means 'to safeguard' or 'to abstain'. In the Islamic terminology it is defined as the action of restraining oneself from disobeying the commands of Allah. When Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked to elaborate on the meaning of the word, 'Taqwa' he replied, "Submit to the command (of Allah) and do not go near the prohibited." It means that one should endeavor to fulfill all the commands of Allah and abstain from the prohibited things. On the basis of this, Taqwa is classified into two types:
The first type of Taqwa consists of compulsory obedience to Allah in fulfilling the compulsory duties (wajibaat) and not leaving even a single duty unperformed. The obligatory commands (wajibaat) are those which, if not carried out, invite the wrath of Allah. Also, as far as possible one should try not to forgo the recommended acts (Mustahabbaat). The recommended acts are those, which if performed earn blessings but if not carried out do not make one liable for punishment.

Sin Obliterates the Good Deeds

Certain Greater Sins (Gunah-e-kabira) render the good deeds void, the details of which will follow in the coming discussions. In brief, it must be mentioned that to refrain from sins is more important than performing good deeds. The following narrations are quoted in support of this statement:

The Importance of Abstaining From the Prohibited

First Tradition

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
"To refrain from eating a single morsel of Haraam is, near Allah, more valued than the performance of two thousand rakats of recommended prayer."
(Iddatud-Dai)

Second Tradition

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
"To forgo a single dirham of prohibited money, is equal near Allah, to seventy accepted Hajjs."
(Iddatud-Dai)

Third Tradition

He continued:
"Strive more to perform good deeds. However if you cannot perform a good act (at least) do not disobey (the commands of Allah). Because if one lays the foundation of a building and does not spoil it, then, even if the progress is slow, the building will definitely rise. (Conversely) The person who lays the foundation and at the same time spoils it, then it is sure that the walls of this building will never be raised."
(Iddatud-Dai, page 235)

Fourth Tradition

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
"For the person who recites 'Subhanallah', Allah plants a tree in Paradise."

On hearing this a man from Quraish stood up and said, "If it is this way, then there must be many trees for us in the Paradise?" The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) replied,

"Yes, but you must beware that you don't set fire from here to burn them all down."
(Iddatud-Dai page 235)

Fifth Tradition

"Jealousy devours belief, like fire devours wood."
(Usool-e-Kafi)

Ill-Gotten Wealth Burns Down The Acts of Worship

Sixth Tradition

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
"On the Day of Judgement there would be people whose good deeds will be as heavy as the mountains of Tahama. Inspite of this it would be ordered that they be tossed into the fire of Hell."

Upon this someone said, "O! the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), were these people performing salaat (prayers)?",

"Yes, they used to pray, and fast, and also spend a part of the night in worship. But, whenever they chanced upon something which gave them pleasure, they used to rush to it without thinking whether it was right or wrong."

Not Giving the Rights of the People
A Barrier for the Acceptance of Good Deeds

Seventh Tradition

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
"I have been commanded by Allah to warn my people and say, 'Do not go from one mosque to another while someones rights are upon you. If such a person stands up for prayers in that condition, I send my curses upon him till he restores the rights to its owner." (Iddatud-Dai page 236)

Eighth Tradition

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,
"There is an angel of Allah who raises the call every night from 'Baitul Muqaddas': "Whoever partakes of the prohibited things, Allah does not accept any of his deeds be they obligatory or recommended."
(Iddatud-Dai)

Good Deeds are Accepted Only if Accompanied by Piety.
(Abstinence From the Prohibited Things)

Ninth Tradition

"Even if you stand for prayers like a tent peg planted on the ground and keep fasting till you resemble a dried stick and stoop like a bow, Allah will not accept any of your deeds till you have the piety to guard against the evil deeds."
(Iddatud-Dai)

Sin is a Barrier to the Acceptance of Invocation (Dua)

Tenth Tradition

Hazrat Musa (a.s.) passed by a person from his followers who was in prostration. After completing his chore Musa (a.s.) returned to find him still in prostration. He said, "If I had the vigor to grant your wish I would surely have granted it." Allah disclosed to Musa (a.s.) that, "Even if this man prostrates for Me till his head gets detached from his neck, I will not accept his deeds, till he abstains from that which I dislike and does that which pleases Me. Otherwise sin hinders the supplications from acceptance."
(pg. 125 ibid)

Refraining From Sins is Genuine Worship

Eleventh Tradition

"Abstaining from sins is the basis of religion. Hence, refrain from sins in order to become the most pious worshipper. Adorn yourself with piety. Do not perform a single good deed without piety. Surely that deed is most acceptable by Allah which is accompanied by piety, even though it may be trifle. As Allah says, "Allah accepts the good deeds only from the pious people."
(Iddatud-Dai)

Hence if you succeed in remaining aloof from sins, then even if your good deeds are paltry, they would be accepted by the Lord. And when the Lord of the Worlds accepts a deed it cannot be termed as trifle or paltry.

Avoidance of Sins is a Must:

Considering the tradition quoted above one is compelled to conclude that it is necessary to dread sinful acts and to be ever cautious of the vices. Only then are the good actions of any consequences. The good deeds must also be performed in such a manner that we strive to emulate as closely as possible the examples set by the high ideals of our Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It should not be that good actions are rendered null and void due to sins. It is necessary to be cautious of such an impending loss and disaster for which we ourselves would be responsible.

Good Actions Could Be Blown Away Like Dust

Sulaiman bin Khalid says; " I asked Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) regarding the Quranic verse

(And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them as scattered floating dust.
(Surah Furqan 25:23)

He said,
"By Allah, even if their deeds are as white as Egyptian cotton, but if they find sin and lewdness they do not abstain from it."
(Iddatud-Dai)

In other words, their good deeds are scattered like dust due to the lack of piety, and hence are of no value at all. Allama Majlisi (r.a.) writes in the explanation of this tradition, "Worship and obedience is rendered null due to sin."

A Large Number of Pious People Will Enter Paradise

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
"Allah revealed to Hazrat Musa (a.s.), "Verily, My slave cannot achieve nearness to Me without the three things which I like." Musa (a.s.) asked with reverance, "My Lord what are those three things?" Allah replied, "O! Musa those three things are: To practice piety in this world, to abstain from sins and to weep due to fear." Musa (a.s.) asked, "Does one who fulfills the three things gets compensation and reward?" Allah replied, "One who practices piety in this world will get Paradise. One who weeps due to My fear will be accorded such a high position that no else would be able to reach it. The deeds of all the creatures shall be accounted. But one who abstains from that which I have forbidden, then accounting of his deeds will not be carried out; he would be admitted to Heaven directly."